Sectional water craft



Jan. 19 {1926.

J! GLEAVE SECTIONAL WATER CRAFT Filed Jan. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet iamid a James [SLEEVE Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

JAMES GLEAVE, OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

SEQTIONAL WATER CRAFT.

Application filed January 29, 1925. Serial No. 5,558.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Julius GLEAVE, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Galveston, in the county of Galveston and StateOf'TGXZlS, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSectional ater Craft, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in water craft.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a water craftwhich is constructed of a plurality of detachable segments, tofacilitate transportation of the craft; carriage of goods of differentnatures; and as a means for strengthening the craft.-

An important object of the invention is the provision oi. a pleasureboat which is sectional in nature, and of such construction that thesections may be readily adapted to the running board of motor vehicles,the sections being of as to permit compact arrangement of the same forvehicle transportation, iyet not sacrificing other features necessaryfor Water craft.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a water craftembodying a plurality of sections which are each suitably provided withan independent compartment,

whereby they may receive goods of unlike nature, such as liquids.

Other objects and advantages ot'this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a water craft, in the nature of asportsmans boat, including detachable sections" construlcted after theinvention herein described.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the sectional sportsmans boat," asillustrated in Figure 1 in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the motor vehicle, showing the compactmanner which a section of the water craft. may be disposed upon therunning board of the vehicle.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the motor such nature vehicle illustrated inFigure 3, showing the manner in which both running boards "of thevehicle may support the sections of the improved water craft. I

Figure 5 is a transverse cross sectional view, taken substantially onthe line 5=5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 1s a transverse cross sectional view, taken substantially onthe line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a transverse cross sectional view, taken substantially onthe line 77 of Figure 2. I

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a barge embodying novel sectional parts.

Figure 9 is a plan View, diagrammatically representing thesectionalparts of a barge.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred and modified forms of the invention, the'letter A maygenerally designate the water craft; which may include sections B and Cof similar nature, for detachable connection, as by means D. Whenfeatures of this invention are to be used in the constructionrotrelatively long water craft, such as a barge E, illustrated in Figures 8and 9 of the'dr'awings, the barge E may include end sections F and G,and intermediate sections H and K.

Referring to the preferred type ofwater craft A, the same will mostgenerally be in the form of a sportsmans boat, either ada ted forpropulsion by sailing, motor, or rowing.

The principle of sectioning the Water cratt,'is that of dividing thesame longitudinally for a portion of the length thereof, andtransversely, sothat the ends of the craft are not in section but offull craft width; the body portion of the craft being the only portionwhich is longitudinally divided. To this end, the section B may includethe stern end portion 15 otthe craft A, of full craft width, and theelongated body portion 16 extending integral there from, of less widththan the width ofthe craft A. The length of the section B is less thanthe full craft length. The'section C is of similar constructionincluding the forward end portion 18,v and the elongated portion 19forming a part of the body of the craft A, which is less than the Widthof said body; the total length of section C being less than full craftlength.

Referring to the construction of the sections B and C, each of the sameis substantially L shaped and preferably includes a bottom 20, in theshape of a flat bottom. Side walls 21 and 22 are provided on theportions and 18 of the sections B and C respectively, at each sidethereof, which are preferably convexed and converge to the outer endsthereof in accordance with ordinary water craft construction. Thearcuate side walls 22 of the sections B and C, respectively continuealong their elongated portions 16 and 19, according to the contour ofthe craft A.

The elongated body portions 16 and 19 of the sections B and Crespectively, include at the ends thereofremote from their stern andforward portions, end bulk heads or walls 25 and 26, which preferablyextend from the bottom 20 for the height of the boat. The body portions16 and 19 of the sections B and C, are complemental, and at. the insidesthereof are preferably provided with the longitudinally extendingstraight bulk heads or inner walls 27 and 28 respectively, which aredisposed in facing relation when the sections B and C are assembled,substantially as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. The endbulk heads or walls 25 and 26 of the sections 13 and C are respectivelyadapted for abutting relation against bulk heads or walls 29 and 30provided on the forward and stern portions 18 an 15 respectively of thecraft sections.

The section B between the side walls 21 and 22 thereof and the verticalbulk head walls 25, 27 andSO provides a compartment 32. On the otherhand, the section C intermediate the side walls 21 and 22, and the bulkheads 26, 28 and 29, provides a com partment 83. The sectioncompartments 32 and 38 are independent with respect to each other, andare protected by the side walls and bulk heads of their respectivesections from liability of water leakage therein.

Referring to the means D, when the sections B and C are placed in theirinterfitting relation in the form of an assembled watercraft,substantialy as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, thetransverse bulkheads 25 and 29 of the sections B and C are in abuttingrelation adjacent the forward end 18 of the craft A; these walls or bulkheads 25 and 29 being connected in intimate contact by means of bolts85, extending transversely therethrough above the waterline of the craftA. Similarly, the walls or bulk heads 26 and 30 of the sections C and Brespectively are in abutting relation at the stern end of the craft Aand arebolted'in such relation by bolts 36 above the water line )f thecraft A. It @011- templated to use the craft A as a sail boat, and henceit is desirable to space the longi tudinal bulk heads 27 and 28 of thesections B and C. To this end, end vertical spacing members 39 and 40are respectively disposed between the longitudinal bulk heads 27 and 28,at the forward and stern ends of the craft A. An upper spacing strip 42is horizontally disposed bet-ween the bulk heads 27 and 28, at the upperends thereof, through which bolts 44 may extend for clamping the bulkheads 27 and 28 in a definite relation; the bolts 44 being above thewater line of the craft A. The space 45 intermediate the bulk heads 27and 28 is, of course, open to the water, at the bottom of the craft A,and adjustably receives a center board 47 therein. The center board 47at one end thereof is pivoted, as at 48, so that the opposite end ofsaid center board 47 is moved vertically in accordance with sail boatconstruction. The after end of the center board 47 is preferablyprovided with an arcuate bar 50, which extends upwardly within the space45 and above the craft A; having a pin 51 detachably connectedtherethrough which may fit within any one of a plurality of aperturesprovided in the arcuate bar 50, and which may adjustably rest upon thetop of the bulk head walls 27 and 28, substantially as is illustrated inFigure 2 of the drawing.

At the stern of the craft A, a rudder 55 may be provided, of anyapproved construction. Various types of reinforcing or framing may beprovided for the sections B and C, such as is illustrated in Figures 1,2, 5, and 6 of the drawings. The stern and forward portions 15 and 18 ofthe sections B and C respectively may be covered, and the dash portions57 and 58, each of substantially Ushaped formation may be carried by thesections B and C of the craft A, extending upwardly therefrom about theopenings into the compartments 82 and 38, as a protection.

Referring to the construction of the barge E, the sections F and Gthereof are L shaped in outline and may be formed similar to sections Band C above described, although in order to provide a practical craft ofrelatively long length, it is advisable to provide intermediate portionsH and K. The barge E, of course, conforms to the general principle ofthis invention, in so far as the same comprises a plurality of sectionswhich are separated upon a divisional line partly at right anglesthereto.

head 64 extends substantially at right angles to the side wall 61adjacent which it is placed. An inner bulk head 65 connects thetransverse bulk heads 63 and 64, substantially at the medial line of thecraft E.

The section G is-formed similar to section F, including a relativelylong side wall 66; a relatively short side wall 67; said side walls 66and 67 being connected by an end arcuate wall 68 of any approvedconstruction. The side wall 66 extends along the longitudinal extension69 of the section G. A transverse bulk head 70 extends from the sidewall 66 at the forward end of the extension'69. At the other side of thesection Gr, a transverse bulk head 72 extends from the side wall 67,preferably A longitudinally extending bulk head 73 connects thetransverse bulk heads 70 and 72 substantially along the medial line ofthe craft E. a,

Referring to the intermediate sections H and K, the same are'preferablyeach of rectangular formation, including the longitudinally extendinginside and outside walls or bulk heads 7 5 and 76, and the forward andrear transverse walls or bulk heads 77 and 78.

The sections F, G, H and K respectively include compartments 80, 81, 82,and 83, which are independent, and which may contain difi erent liquorsor materials thoroughly segregated one from another.

Referring to the assemblage of the sections of the barge E, theintermediate section H is assembled between the transverse bulk headwalls 63 and 70, so that the inner bulk head wall of said section isdisposed in abutting contact with the longitudinal bulk head 65 of thesection F. The intermediate section K, on the other hand, is assembledintermediate the transverse bulk heads 64 and 72, so that the inner wall75 thereof is in abutting contact with the longitudinal bulk head wall 73 of the section G. In this relation. the inner bulk heads or walls 7 5of the sections H and K are in overlapping relation. The transverse andlongitudinal abutting bulk heads of the sections F, G, H, and K are thenconnected in any approved manner by bolts, or by other means, above thewater line of the craft C. This bolting arrangement has not been shownin the drawings, but may be of similar construction to that illustratedfor the preferred embodiment.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, wherein is illustrated themanner in which the sections 13 and C of the craft A may be supported ona vehicle M, the sections B and C are so placed that the forward andstern ends 15 and 18 thereof are disposed forwardly of the vehicle M,with their forward arcuate walls 21 enga ing the running board 85 andthe forward fender 86 at each side of the bar. Vertical retainingmembers or flanges 87 may be provided upon the running boards 85,between which and the body of the car M, the sections B and C may beplaced, substantially as is illustrated in the drawings. This provides avery simple and compact arrangement, as is evident from the drawings.

From the foregoing description of this invention, it is apparent that awater craft has been provided, the sections of which are cooperativelydivided longitudinally and transversely of the craft, so that saidsections may occupy a compact space during transportation. The sectionalarrangement of the water craft enables them to be firmly maintained inassembled relation incident to the longitudinal and transverse bulkheading.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be madeto the form of the invention herein shown and described, WlthOHlZ'departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: I I

1. A water cnaftseparab-le into sections along a division line extendingonly partly longitudinally at substantially the central line and partlytransversely of the craft, said sections having bull: heads extendingalong said division line for each of said sections to provideindependent compartments for the sections.

2. A water craft comprising a plurality of sections, means for"detachably connectmg the sections and a center board arranged betweenthe sections.

3. As an article of manufacture, a water craft comprising a plurality ofsections longitudinally separable, each of said sections having bulkheads longitudinally arranged at the dividing line thereof, means forclamping said sections so that the longitudinal dividing bulk headsthereof are in spaced relation, and a centerboard pivotally mounted tosaid sections intermediate said bulk heads.

4:. As an article of manufacture, a sectional water craft includingcertain sections which for a portion of their length are of full craftWidth and for the remaining portion of their length of less than thefirst mentioned portions.

5. As an article of manufacture, a sectional water craft includingcertain sections which for a portion of their length are of full craftwidth and for the remaining portion of their lengths less in width thanthe first mentioned portions and of less than craft width, each of saidsections being less in length than craft length.

6. As an article of manufacture, a water craft comprising a plurality ofsections separable along a division line extending partly transverselyand partly longitudi- &

nally of the craft, certain of said sections including a portion of fullcraft Width the side Walls of Which portion extending in taperingrelation to substantially point, and the remaining portion of saidcertain section being of less Width than craft Width.

7. As an article of manufacture, a Water craft comprising a pair ofseparable sections each including a longitudinal bulk head andtransverse bulk heads, and means for connecting the longitudinal bulkheads and transverse bulk heads of the sections.

8. As an article of manufacture a Water craft section including an endportion formed the entire Width of the craft, and an integrallongitudinally extending compartment providing body portions of lessWidth than the craft and of less Width than the first mentioned portion.

9. A Water craft comprising sections each including an end craft portionof full craft Width, a craft body portion of less than craft Width andmeans for detachably con necting said sections with the said craft bodyportions of the sections at opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the craft.

10. As an article of manufiacture a sectional Water craft comprising apair of substantially L-shaped sections each including an end portion ofsubstantially full craft Width and a narrower body portion of less thancraft Width, and means connecting the last mentioned portions of saidsections at substantially the longitudinal center of the craft withtheend portions of said sections overlapping the narrower body portionsof the other sections.

11. In a sectional Water craft, substantially L-shaped sections eachproviding an end portion of substantially full craft Width and anarrower compartment providing body portion of less than craft Width,means connecting said last mentioned portions of the sections togetherin overlapping relation with each other, and means for detachabiyconnecting the end portion of each ection to the end of the body portionof the other section.

- JAMES GLEAVE.

